Ports are basic building blocks of an FC N/w.

N-Port:

This port is also known as the node port (end point in the fabric).

It is a host port (HBA) or a storage array port that is connected to a switch in a switched fabric.

NL-port:

This is a Node loop port which supports the arbitrated loop topology.

E-port:

It forms the connection between two FC switches.

It is also known as expansion port.

Through inter switch link(manage traffic from switch to another), E port connects FC switch to another E port of another FC switch on the fabric.

F-port:

Known as fabric port

Port on a switch that connects an N port

FL-port:

It is participates in FC-AL

This port is connected to the NL ports on a FC-AL loop

All NL & FL ports in the loop participates in the FC-SW called public loop.

Private loop contains NL ports & does not contain FL-port

G-port:

A generic port that can operate as an E-port or an F-port 2) It carries out its functionality automatically during initialization